Empire State Trail

Blueprint

The new 750-mile Empire State Trail is an epic bike touring route that crisscrosses New York State. Explore rural upstate New York, historic Hudson Valley, farm communities up to the Canadian border, and ride directly into Manhattan – all on one trail system!

Surface

Off-Road Gravel and Paved; On-Road Paved

Distance

750+ miles

What’s Included

  • Comprehensive Trail Knowledge
  • Reservation Guide
  • Detailed Itineraries
  • Digital Mapping and Voice Navigation

Empire State Trail

$90.00

The new 750-mile Empire State Trail is an epic bike touring route that crisscrosses New York State. Explore rural upstate New York, historic Hudson Valley, farm communities up to the Canadian border, and ride directly into Manhattan – all on one trail system!

45-minute call with NIBT founder Sara Petyk to answer any questions about the trail, planning a bike tour, or any other cycling topics

Category:

Available Trail Services

Hotels Available
Available

Campsites
Available

Shuttling Services
Available

Luggage Transfer
Not Available

Bike Rentals
Available

Suggested Itineraries

5Day Buffalo to Albany
Day 1 – Buffalo to Brockport. (73 mi.)
Day 2 – Brockport to Weedsport. (86 mi.)
Day 3 – Weedsport to Utica. (86 mi.)
Day 4 – Utica to Schenectady. (84 mi.)
Day 5 – Schenectady to Albany. (30 mi.)

6Day Buffalo to Albany
Day 1 – Buffalo to Medina. (48 mi.)
Day 2 – Medina to Palmyra. (70 mi.)
Day 3 – Palmyra to Syracuse. (66 mi.)
Day 4 – Syracuse to Utica. (62 mi.)
Day 5 – Utica to Amsterdam. (65 mi.)
Day 6 – Amsterdam to Albany. (47 mi.)

9Day Buffalo to Albany
Day 1 – Buffalo to Lockport. (31 mi.)
Day 2 – Lockport to Brockport. (42 mi.)
Day 3 – Brockport to Pittsford. (27 mi.)
Day 4 – Pittsford to Seneca Falls. (50 mi.)
Day 5 – Seneca Falls to Syracuse. (44 mi.)
Day 6 – Syracuse to Rome. (45 mi.)
Day 7 – Rome to Little Falls. (38 mi.)
Day 8 – Little Falls to Amsterdam. (43 mi.)
Day 9 – Amsterdam to Albany. (47 mi.)
9-day itineraries with and without Seneca Falls are included.

*Lodging on the Hudson Valley Greenway can be limited on weekends and is often $200+/night.

4Day Albany to NYC
Day 1 – Albany to Germantown/Tivoli (49 mi.)
Day 2 – Germantown/Tivoli to Hopewell Junction (58 mi.)
Day 3 – Hopewell Junction to Tarrytown (59 mi.)
Day 4- Tarrytown to NYC (30 mi.)

5Day Albany to NYC
Day 1 – Albany to Hudson (39 mi.)
Day 2 – Hudson to Kingston (31 mi.)
Day 3 – Kingston to Hopewell Junction (38 mi.)
Day 4 – Hopewell Junction to Tarrytown (59 mi.)
Day 5- Tarrytown to NYC (30 mi.)

8Day Buffalo to NYC
Day 1 – Buffalo to Brockport (74 mi.)
Day 2 – Brockport to Seneca Falls (77 mi.)
Day 3 – Seneca Falls to Rome (89 mi.)
Day 4 – Rome to Amsterdam (80 mi.)
Day 5 – Amsterdam to Hudson (78.5 mi.)
Day 6 – Hudson to Hopewell Junction (71 mi.)
Day 7 – Hopewell Junction to Tarrytown (59 mi.)
Day 8 – Tarrytown to NYC (30 mi.)

14Day Buffalo to NYC
Day 1 – Buffalo to Lockport (31 mi.)
Day 2 – Lockport to Brockport (42 mi.)
Day 3 – Brockport to Pittsford (27 mi.)
Day 4 – Pittsford to Seneca Falls (50 mi.)
Day 5 – Seneca Falls to Syracuse (44 mi.)
Day 6 – Syracuse to Rome (45 mi.)
Day 7 – Rome to Little Falls (38 mi.)
Day 8 – Little Falls to Amsterdam (43 mi.)
Day 9 – Amsterdam to Albany (48 mi.)
Day 10 – Albany to Hudson (39 mi.)
Day 11 – Hudson to Kingston (31 mi.)
Day 12 – Kingston to Hopewell Junction (38 mi.)
Day 13 – Hopewell Junction to Tarrytown (59 mi.)
Day 14 – Tarrytown to NYC (30 mi.)

*The Champlain Valley Trail is almost entirely on-road.
**Lodging on the Hudson Valley Greenway can be limited on weekends and is often $200+/night.

3Day Rouses Point to Albany
Day 1 – Rouses Point to Westport (68.5 mi.)
Day 2 – Westport to Glens Falls (via connector) (75 mi.)
Day 3 – Glens Falls to Albany (54 mi.)

5Day Rouses Point to Albany
Day 1 – Rouses Point to Keeseville (39 mi.)
Day 2 – Keeseville to Port Henry (38.5 mi.)
Day 3 – Port Henry to Ticonderoga (16 mi.)
Day 4 – Ticonderoga to Glens Falls (via connector) (49 mi.)
Day 5 – Glens Falls to Albany (54 mi.)

8Day Rouses Point to NYC
Day 1 – Rouses Point (or Plattsburgh) to Westport (68.5 mi.)
Day 2 – Westport to Ticonderoga (26.5 mi.)
Day 3 – Ticonderoga to Glens Falls (via connector) (49 mi.)
Day 4 – Glens Falls to Albany (54 mi.)
Day 5 – Albany to Germantown/Tivoli (49 mi.)
Day 6 – Germantown/Tivoli to Hopewell Junction (58 mi.)
Day 7 – Hopewell Junction to Tarrytown (59 mi.)
Day 8- Tarrytown to NYC (30 mi.)

Campsite and camping information is provided for all of the Empire State Trail system. Camping is easiest along the Erie Canal and Champlain Valley Trail. Camping is very limited along the Hudson Valley Greenway.

Riding the Empire State Trail

The Empire State Trail can be ridden throughout the year, although we recommend May-October.

Trail surfaces vary across the 750-mile system, but in general the Erie Canal is a crushed gravel or paved trail; the Champlain Valley is on-road and paved; and the Hudson Valley is primarily paved bike trail with some on-road sections (particularly between Hudson and Kingston).

The Empire State Trail runs through well-populated areas with regular access to towns and cities. Free water is uncommon but convenience stores and places to purchase food and water are frequent along the route.

Cell coverage is strong across the majority of the trail.

Bike rental for the Empire State Trail system is limited. For most itineraries bikes must be rented out of Buffalo or New York City and then returned to the rental location or shipped to their shop.

Have a question about this tour?

Our professional team members are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our tours. Please reach out to them for trail tips and to plan your next adventure.

Looking for something different?

We are proud to offer a wide variety of curated tour itineraries on many of the nation’s best trails.

Full Trail List